Johnson Arch Canyon (Snow Canyon)

Last Candition:
October 12, 2013

4.2

2 of us in 2 1/2 hrs from car to car. Bolts in good condition but the last rap is continuing to develop deep grooves. Perhaps someone could remove the bolts underneath the top bolt, and re-rig it at the top for a better pull? Pretty please. A rope groove does NOT need to be here.

Water was chest deep at the penultimate rap and the rap before. Today the wetsuits for needed...brr...

Number of raps varies between sources so this is based on using RoadTripRyan. Rap 2 with the 2-stage drop can be entirely avoided by swinging right and working down canyon below the two pools of moderate depth water. Rap 3 is a little tricky to find the bolts. You have to climb left up and over a shelf, down a crack with a shrub, then around a broader rib to drop into another crack and then locate the bolts. Rap 4 into the pool after the basalt boulder. Water there was only a wader but looked to be worse. Rap 5 took us into a skanky, long pool that was to stomach level with very soft mud underfoot. Water at bottom of the final rap was minimal & avoidable. A little mud. Not much real down-climbing in this canyon but the last two raps are very scenic.

Forecast highs of 67F made for perfect weather. Great conditions. Mandatory water was knee deep. Penultimate rappel was dry. Final rap is about 170 feet, not 200 like some sites state. 5 hours car to car with 4 noobs.

A quick fun route for some "urban canyoneering". 3 hours from to car to car with 4 people (2 noobs). They loved it.

The approach isn't difficult at all but take your time and look at Google Earth before you go. It will be worth it.

All anchors are bolted and are in good condition. The 3rd rap (the the 140ft+ one) made for a easy rope pull if you pull it from the north wall compared to the southern wall (where the drainage wants to put you).

2nd and 3rd rap we ran into thigh deep water. 4th rap was neck deep for about 15feet. Wetsuits would be nice but I don't think necessary.

Btw, if you get the rope stuck on the last rap, you can climb to the canyon that is adjacent to the north and walk back up to the top with a little struggle (talked to a guy who did this). Passing on info.

All anchors in good condition. 83 temps no wetsuits needed. The two pools were at best waist deep, feel around for the sand bars. For 3 of us first time down 4 hrs from car to car. Super fun. Amazing last rap!

All anchors and webbing in good condition. Weather was perfect. We avoided the first couple rappels by down-climbing or going around. Knee high water in the third-to-last rappel. Chest high water at the bottom of the second-to-last rappel. We took special care to place the pull rope before the last man on the final (170ft) rappel and it pulled much easier than my last time through when we didn't place it carefully. Great canyon!